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Estate Calculator

Charitable Bequest & Legacy Distribution Planner

Model how charitable bequests and family distributions affect estate taxes and final legacy values

OBBBA Estate Tax: $15 million exemption per person (permanent starting 2026)
Charitable Deduction: Unlimited estate tax deduction for qualified charities

Estate & Legacy Information

Estate Profile

Spouse US Citizen

Unlimited marital deduction

Add Beneficiary

Charity

Ready to Plan?

Add your estate information and beneficiaries, then click "Calculate" to see your legacy distribution analysis.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only using current federal estate tax laws under OBBBA. Actual estate distribution and tax liability may vary based on asset valuation, state laws, and complex estate planning strategies. Charitable deductions must be to qualified organizations. Professional estate planning and legal advice are recommended for comprehensive legacy planning.

Understanding Charitable Bequests and Legacy Planning

How you split your estate between family and charity affects more than just who receives what — it directly changes your estate tax bill, since charitable bequests receive an unlimited estate tax deduction while bequests to individuals may not. Planning bequests thoughtfully can grow the total amount your family and favorite causes both receive.

This calculator models a full slate of beneficiaries — family and charitable, fixed-dollar and percentage-based — and shows the resulting estate tax, the after-tax value each beneficiary actually receives, and specific charitable giving strategies worth considering.

How This Calculator Works

Enter your estate value, debts, marital status, and lifetime gifts used, then add beneficiaries as either fixed dollar amounts or percentages of the residual estate, marking which are charities. The calculator computes estate tax with and without the charitable deduction, shows the tax savings from your charitable bequests, and breaks down exactly how much each beneficiary receives after tax.

Frequently Asked Questions

Charitable bequests receive an unlimited estate tax deduction — the full value passing to a qualified charity is removed from the taxable estate entirely, unlike bequests to individuals, which may be subject to estate tax. This calculator shows the exact tax savings by comparing estate tax with and without your planned charitable bequests.